3D luggage scanners on trial at Australian airport

SYDNEY, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- New 3D bag scanners could soon streamline security checks for travellers, with a world first trial of the technology taking place at Australia's Melbourne Airport.

The company responsible, Smiths Detection, officially announced the trial on Wednesday revealing that passengers will no longer be required remove electronic devices or carry on liquids from their bags as they undergo security checks.

While current methods display a two dimensional image of baggage, the company's new "smart lane" provides security staff with a 3D image of the insides of luggage.

"This CT technology is the exact same type of technology used in the medical profession to conduct scans of the human body," managing director of Smiths Detection Jordan Thrupp said.

Thrupp said he is confident that all major Australian airports will soon be adopting the system which makes the process of airport check in "simpler and more efficient" for operators and "advanced and improved" for passengers.

Chief of aviation at Melbourne Airport Simon Gandy told Fairfax media that while the system poses an additional cost for the airport, he believed that it can help to reduce congestion and bottlenecks caused by travellers having to unpack and repack their bags.

"As Australia's busiest 24/7 airport we will continue to find ways to implement new technology and upgrades," Gandy said.